Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-BSN MSN-to-DNP MSN to PhD NP PhD Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE
- Location(s) Illinois
- Telephone 1-309-438-7400
- Request Information
Founded in 1857, Illinois State University became Illinois's first public university. In 1982, the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) was established.
Undergraduate
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The traditional BSN program is for students entering ISU as a freshman or for students transferring from a college or university that does not offer an Associate's degree in Nursing. The degree program can be completed in 4 years on a full-time status.
Accelerated BSN
This program can be completed in 15 months on a full-time status.
Admission into the program depends on a few factors like college courses that have already been earned, hours completed, the prerequisite course grades, overall cumulative GPA, essay quality, experience in healthcare, and CNA certification. CNA certification is not required, but it is a factor considered for a student to be more competitive in the pool of applicants.
Enrollment includes meeting health and safety compliance requirements including drug testing, a criminal background check, a physical examination, and several immunizations as outlined by the Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN).
RN to BSN (online)
The RN to BSN program is 100% online and for licensed RNs. There are flexible paths for full- and part-time study and can be completed in one year if attending full-time or over a course of 2 years, part time.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- Graduate from a state-approved diploma school of nursing or an associate degree nursing program
- Licensed as an RN in the current state of residence
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; cumulative GPA refers to all courses completed that have generated college credits
- Prerequisite courses (as defined by the MCN) with a grade of 'C' or better
- Completed a specified portion of the Illinois Transferable General Education Program and the Mennonite College of Nursing prerequisite courses with a minimum of 55 total credit hours earned OR Have completed an Associate's Degree in Arts or Science with all Mennonite College of Nursing prerequisite courses completed
- Drug testing
- Criminal background check
- Physical examination
- Immunizations as outlined by the MCN
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The Family Nurse Practitioner program includes 44 credit hours, 660 clinical hours and can be completed in 5 semesters full-time, 7 semesters part-time. The curriculum is delivered in a mix of online and on-campus education. Graduates are eligible to take the FNP certification examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner (AANP). Since the program began, the cumulative pass rate on the certification exam is 99%.
Graduates are then qualified to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing programs.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- BSN from an NLN-accredited program or a program accredited by the CCNE
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work
- Statistics, nursing research, and physical assessment courses with a grade of a 'C' or better at the baccalaureate level
- 2 years of recent full-time relevant clinical or administrative nursing experience is preferred; related military experience will be considered on an individual basis
- Drug testing
- Criminal background check
- Physical examination
- Immunizations as outlined by the MCN
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Online
The post-master's doctor of nursing practice (DNP) is an online 34-semester hour program that includes core courses (18 semester hours), applied data analysis and management (3 semester hours), clinical residency (6 semester hours), and the scholarly project (7 semester hours). The program includes a clinical residency. In order to graduate, all students must successfully complete a scholarly project and the required dissemination endeavors.
The DNP courses are delivered online with on-campus "intensives". Students will be required to attend scheduled on-campus intensives throughout the program at Illinois State University campus. The completion of the online DNP program can be done in 7 semesters (2.5 years part-time) including summers.
Clinical Sites
The clinical residency site does not have to be in Illinois, but must be secured by the student soon after admission especially if outside Illinois as other state requirements may not allow Mennonite College of Nursing to utilize clinical sites for clinical residency experiences.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- MSN from a CCNE or NLN- accredited program
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 30 hours of graduate or 60 hours of undergraduate course work; to include courses in which the student is currently enrolled
- Certified and licensed as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, registered nurse anesthetist) or have completed a master's degree program in nursing administration
- Graduate level epidemiology course is a co-requisite of the DNP courses
- Graduate level statistics course is a co-requisite of the DNP courses
- 640 post-BSN practice hours are required to enroll in the DNP scholarly project courses
- Drug testing
- Criminal background check
- Physical examination
- Immunizations as outlined by the MCN
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Courses for the PhD program are conducted on campus (completed 4 years/part-time). Faculty may use video conferencing and web-enhanced course delivery as an alternate method of instruction.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- BSN and MSN from a CCNE or NLN-accredited program
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 30 hours of graduate course work or the last 60 hours of undergraduate work
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (waived for applicant's GPA of 3.4 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work or 30 hours of graduate work)
- Master's level statistics course
- Drug testing
- Criminal background check
- Physical examination
- Immunizations as outlined by the MCN
Post-Graduate Certificate
The post-master's Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certificate option is available for individuals that hold a master's degree and would like to become licensed and practice as family nurse practitioners.
Admission (not all inclusive)
- BSN and MSN from an NLN-accredited program or from a program accredited by the commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework
- Statistics, nursing research, and physical assessment courses with a grade of a 'C' or better at the baccalaureate level
- 2- or 3-page essay outlining educational and professional goals
- Resume
- RN license number as evidence of RN licensure in Illinois
- One recommendation form
- Two years of recent full-time relevant clinical or administrative nursing experience is preferred
Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission accredited Illinois State University.
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate, master's, and DNP nursing programs.
Rankings
US News & World Report (2019-2020)
- #171 (tie) in National Universities
- #91 (tie) in Top Public Schools
- #58 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
- #106 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
- #90 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #105 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
NICHE 2019)
- Best Big Colleges in America #93 of 131
- Top Public Universities in America #137 of 672
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #171 of 599
- Best College Campuses in America #173 of 1,408
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #227 of 1,542
- Best Value Colleges in America #254 of 1,590
- Best Colleges in America #384 of 1,647
- Best College Locations in America #431 of 1,553
- Best College Dorms in America #480 of 1,370
- Colleges with the Best Academics in America #531 of 1,591
- Top Public Universities in Illinois #3 of 11
- Best Big Colleges in Illinois #3 of 3
- Best College Campuses in Illinois #4 of 54
- Best Colleges for Nursing in Illinois #6 of 23
- Colleges with the Best Student Life in Illinois #7 of 55
- Best Value Colleges in Illinois #11 of 56
- Best Colleges in Illinois #13 of 58
- Best College Dorms in Illinois #16 of 53
- Best College Locations in Illinois #19 of 54
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Illinois #20 of 57
- Most Diverse Colleges in Illinois #49 of 58
Forbes (2019)
- #343 Top Colleges
- #118 in Public Colleges
- #155 in Research Universities
- #73 in the Midwest
- #222 America's Best Value Colleges
College Factual (2018-2019)
- #3 Best Colleges for the Money (Illinois)
- #73 Best Colleges for the Money (nationally)
- #24 out of 1,204 Overall Best Value U.S. Colleges & Universities for International Students
MONEY Magazine ranked ISU #127 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).
The University was named among the "Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the Midwest" by Washington Monthly.
Victory Media designated ISU as a Military Friendly School.
ISU is ranked among the country's best universities for veterans by College Factual and Military Advanced Education & Transition.